Spaces_is 9

2500 sq ft of land, is one that probably
needed some conviction on his as well as
the designer’s part, before it could be built.
Located on a hillside, the house has been
planned to incorporate innovatively, the
steep angle that measures twentyone feet
from top to bottom. The entrance, with a
car porch, is at the highest point. From
here, a flight of stone steps goes down to
a portico made more welcoming by rows
of clay pots holding all manner of flowers.
A carved wooden door leads into the
sitting room, which is connected to the
open dining and kitchen areas by a large
sliding latticed door (ankhi jhyal pattern)
“I WAS VERY DEFINITE IN MY VISION OF WHAT
I WANTED MY HOUSE TO LOOK LIKE.”
to allow for light even when closed. A short
flight of stairs goes down to the basement
with a small guest room on the right side.
Actually this cannot really be said to be the
basement as another flight of stairs leads
down to the servant’s room. This is the
lowest point of the house and a backdoor
is situated here leading conveniently to an
alleyway that is often used when walking
down to the main road.
The floor above the living room has
another smallish room on the right side
which is cozy enough for Kiran’s mother
who lives here. The master bedroom is
reached by one more short flight of stairs
and here one finds an attached bathroom
as well as a verandah. Another room on
this floor serves as Kiran’s daughter’s
room. The top floor has the Puja room as
well as the terrace.
Short flight of stairs, smallish rooms, and
small landings are the hallmarks of this
house. Another hallmark is utilization of
much used furniture collected over the
years which have been used to furnish the
Top: The living room is furnished with
home-worn familiar furniture.
Above: Exterior view from front.
Left: A typical teenager’s room - full of
comforting objects.
SPACES MAR-APR 2006 57